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BSF Study Questions Revelation Lesson 12, Day 4: Revelation 6:9-11

Summary of passage: When Jesus opened the fifth seal, John saw those who had been slain because of their faith. They asked God how much longer until He judges the earth’s inhabitants and avenges them. They were given a white robe and told to wait until those who would die for their faith had been completed.

Questions:

9a) Those who had been killed because of their faith and they wanted to know how much longer until God judged the earth’s inhabitants and avenges them.

b) Personal Question. My answer: It’s not really something I desire. I know God will do it, so I don’t worry about it or give it much thought. I’d much rather focus on His work for me than His judgment on others. It’s between them and God anyways. I’m sure I’d feel different if some travesty occurred against me or my family, but it hasn’t.

10a) To wait until the rest who would die for their faith had joined them. God is waiting for all to come to Him in repentance before final judgment. He is patient beyond words.

b) Righteousness and salvation before God.

11a) We are called to suffer since Jesus suffered. Paul says in Romans to rejoice in our sufferings for suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope. We are blessed in suffering and it’s better to suffer for doing good than evil says Peter. Suffering is a privilege and a way to participate in God’s glory (1 Peter 4:12-16) so rejoice in it. We should commit to God and continue to do good (1 Peter 5:19). After suffering in this life, we will be restored and made strong, firm and steadfast.

b) Personal Question. My answer: God listens; God answers. God is full of grace, holy and true, and sovereign over all. I trust in Him that He has a purpose I cannot see and He will pull me through. For God is in control.

c) Personal Question. My answer: Suffering and persecution as a Christian is part of our life and our calling. Encourage those in the midst of suffering with the grace of God, of His omniscient will, and His power to turn suffering into good.

Conclusions: Good transition into suffering since John is talking about Christian martyrs. Excellent!

I am amazed at my Bible knowledge and I don’t mean that in any pompous way. When I think back to when I first started BSF five years ago, I had no clue where any of the books of the Bible were, which were in the New Testament and the Old Testament, and what they contained. Now, when I’m asked a question here by BSF I often know the answer without looking it up.

I am telling you all this as an encouragement to those new to the Bible or still seeking Jesus. Keep coming to class. Keep doing your homework. Keep attending lectures as much as possible. Keep seeking Him. Even if you feel inadequate and hopeless hang in there. You will be rewarded. By a greater knowledge of Him and His word and a greater heart for Jesus and His people.

Nothing in this world is free and nothing in this world is gained without hard work. Knowing God is hard work. Is there any other work more important?

End Notes: “Under the altar” channels Leviticus 4:7; 17:11 and emphasizes their blood sacrifice for God.

“Testimony” comes from the Greek word martyria, meaning “witness.” Since Christians were often killed for being faithful witnesses of the testimony Christ had given them, they came to be called martyrs. These are the true believers in God being persecuted as Jesus warned would happen (Mark 13:9-13; Luke 21:12-18; Matthew 24:9; John 16:2).

Crying out for vengeance is asking God to do what He promises to do which is administer justice. People in the Bible have been doing this for ages (Genesis 4:10; Numbers 35:33; Isaiah 6:11; Jeremiah 47:6; Zechariah 1:12; Luke 18:1-8). David asked this question repeatedly (Psalm 13:1; 35:17; 74:9; 79:5; 80:4; 89:46). “My soul is in anguish. How long, O Lord, how long?” (Psalm 6:3). Habakkuk asked: “How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (1:2).

This is a call for judgment on the world, a necessary step for righteousness.

White we know is a symbol or purity, faithfulness, blessedness, and victory. It is also a picture of the redeemed and justified (Revelation 7:11-14).

More are going to die for God. In the first century, the persecutors are mainly the Jews, the synagogue of Satan. Later, it will be the Romans. Today it is extremist Islam and non-believers.

My BSF best friend and I were just talking about what you mentioned about our growth of knowledge of the Bible over the last six years in particular. BSF is doing a great job of eliminating Biblical illiteracy! I didn’t particularly care for the exact wording of the question of associating ourselves with the martyrs and what we long for God to do although I understand the purpose. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” I appreciated one of the women in class mentioning that. Another mentioned all the innocents killed and longing for God’s justice against those who harm children. One has dealt personally with an unjust, random, violent death. Another mentioned that she had heard how we look at sin like looking at a city of buildings…a bungalow, a skyscraper, a townhouse…small, medium, and terrifyingly tall…yet, God looks down and they are all the same. This lesson seemed to bring out some of those who are more passionate about their views being “right” this week when it came to suffering. I was shocked for some reason even though we trained on it. One more thing that has come to my attention is some complaining that BSF isn’t “hard enough” anymore. I would like to point out that it’s plenty hard for the newcomers who are new to the Bible and for those who have never participated in an in depth study before or who work full time while raising a family. What is different is that many of us have been studying with BSF so long that we are no longer ignorant or illiterate. I tell those people who complain that it’s a huge SIGN that they are trained and ready to go out and LEAD in our churches and neighborhoods. Also, there’s always more you can do within the BSF organization from helping set up, volunteering to sit on Training Days for leaders’ children, playing the piano, acting as treasurer or assistant, setting up or picking up parking cones, volunteering as a “pal” to another class member who is struggling and needs encouragement and help doing her lesson, praying for the leaders, and more. I’m often struck by those women whose first experience with church or Jesus was through a neighbor taking them to church, or an after school, free Bible study at a neighbor’s home, or a bus ministry that drove around and picked up children for Sunday School and church. More and more children have no one to take them to church. Their parents don’t believe or are too overwhelmed with work to take them. Their grandparents don’t believe or don’t care enough to drive across town to get them. It’s one of the best ways to serve that I know. Anyway, I’m off track. I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your site and what all you do to share deeper material for those looking for more.